In the United States v. Brewer case of 1890, the Supreme Court ruled on a dispute involving land ownership and inheritance laws. The case centered around property in Kansas that was originally owned by an individual from the Miami Tribe of Indians who had received it through a treaty with the U.S government. Upon his death, he left no will but had several heirs including his widow and children. However, under federal law at that time, Indian lands were not subject to state probate laws which would have divided up his estate among these heirs; instead they reverted back to tribal control unless specifically willed otherwise. The court held that despite this rule being applicable generally for Indian tribes as communal entities, it did not apply here because this specific tribe had been dissolved and its members made U.S citizens prior to owner's death - thus making them subject to regular state inheritance laws like any other citizen. This decision clarified how federal policy towards Native Americans interacted with state-level rules regarding property rights and succession upon death without a will (intestate). It also highlighted complexities arising due to changing legal status of native tribes during late 19th century America.

In the dissenting opinion for United States v. Brewer, Justice Harlan argued that the government had a right to bring suit against an individual who was using public land without proper authority or payment. He believed that this case should not be dismissed on technical grounds because it involved important issues of public policy and property rights. The majority's decision, he contended, undermined the government's ability to protect its own interests and manage its resources effectively. Furthermore, he disagreed with their interpretation of legal precedent and statutory law regarding land use disputes between private citizens and the federal government.